CLEAR LAKE — Humboldt got down early, but it didn’t waver. The top-ranked (RPI) Wildcats (7-1 overall, 4-0 in Class 3A, District 2) earned a 23-13 victory over last year’s district champion, Clear Lake (5-3, 2-2), to claim the championship on Friday night. Humboldt has won three ...

LAKE PARK — Bishop Garrigan’s 20th straight victory capped off an unbeaten season for the No. 2 Golden Bears on Friday night. Garrigan (8-0 overall, 6-0 in 8-Man-2) ran for 235 yards and headed to the playoffs as district champions. Trayton Cink had touchdown runs of 48 and 24 yards. Tate ...

MANSON — Zach Noffsinger has something special going at Manson Northwest Webster. Noffsinger is in his third season as head coach, and will be taking the Cougars to their second straight home playoff game next week. For now, though, MNW is concentrating on a district title. The Cougars ...

GLIDDEN — The St. Edmond football team has already secured a spot in the eight-player postseason. But the Gaels still have plenty left to play for. St. Edmond makes the roughly one-hour trip here Friday to face Glidden-Ralston in the regular season finale for both schools. Kickoff is ...

The Fort Dodge football team has tried to take everything one step at a time this season. Friday’s home finale against Sioux City West perfectly encapsulates that train of thought. The Dodgers (5-2 overall, 2-1 in Class 4A, District 1) know they likely need two wins in as many games to ...

Six Messenger-area teams have locked up playoff spots with one full regular-season week left, while Humboldt and Algona will decide plenty over the next two weeks in Class 3A. After knocking off the Bulldogs last week, the Wildcats (6-1, 3-0) are now the top-ranked squad in the 3A RPI ...